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Mallan stunned by PFA award

Date published: Monday 4th May 2015 3:42

The 19-year-old admitted he was ‘stunned’ to receive the accolade for his individual goal against Dundee on December 29.

Mallan ensured the Saints faithful would never forget his first goal for the Premiership strugglers, when he fired home from just outside the box after picking the ball up in his own half and waltzing through a number of tackles.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ at the awards ceremony at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel, he said: “The boy nutmegged me before the goal, and I’ve just tried to win the ball back.

“Then it was just instinct. The trick in the middle of the park and then driving forward. I was looking for a pass into the striker but I just thought shoot and thankfully it paid off.

“To receive this award is unbelievable. I never actually expected it. There were so many good goals in the category I never thought I would get a chance.”

Reflecting on his season, a campaign which has seen the Buddies all-but consigned to Championship football next season, he added: “It has had its up and downs, obviously with the club being where we are now it’s not been a very good season.

“But this tonight will be a highlight of my career and give me a boost. We just have to focus on next season, try and build the squad again and hopefully get back up if we end up going down.”

Looking ahead to next season Mallan, who made his Saints debut last November, expects a revamped playing squad to turn up for pre-season come July.

“If we go down then I’m sure there’ll be a few new faces at the club and hopefully we can all gel together because the fans want to see us back in the Premiership as fast as possible.

I’ve worked with Gary Teale (manager) for a while, even when I was with the U20s. He helped me a lot and personally I like him because he’s helped me through my career and given me my opportunity.

“I would say the players want him because he is an ex-player we know him really well and hopefully he gets it (the job on a permanent basis).

“We don’t know what’s going to happen because of what’s going on at the club just now but I would say all the players want him because he has a good relationship with everyone.”